The last time I travelled solo was to Kochi in Dec 2016 for the Kochi Muziris Biennale. It was after a gap of 3-4 years that I wasn’t traveling with husband or work colleagues.

My solo holiday was enlightening as it always is. But it also reminded me of my twenties when I travelled alone a lot.

Again while curating a set of solo holidays on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2017, moments from those holidays by myself kept flashing in my head. Solo travel was not something that young people did a lot then. But it was incredibly freeing, built my confidence and opened my mind like nothing else could.

Here’s why I think everyone should do a solo holiday every once in a while.

Great for creativity

When you travel alone, you are surrounded by people yet you are in a little bubble. That feeling of disconnected-ness is great for throwing up solutions to problems that you have been wrestling with or issues that have been at the back of your mind. Things seem clearer when you leave the noise and clutter of everyday life behind.

Confidence building

When you travel alone, you don’t learn new skills; you realise how well-equipped you already are. This is a huge inflection point for many women who come back with a much improved self esteem from a solo trip and carry that forward positively into their daily life. But it is also true for men in a different way. Men who have never holidayed without a partner or friends learn that they can be perfectly content with their own company, they are capable of making new friends among other travellers and in some cases, that they can even do many small things which they usually rely on their partners for.

Discovery at many levels

I find that I experience a destination better when I travel solo. I follow my heart and do what interests me rather than adjust to the group. I have the time to chat with locals, talk to hotel owners and other travellers. Stop at little shops , spend a whole day at a museum or art gallery, I am master of my day. It all adds up to discovering the local culture, places and even food in a deeper sense. I also discover a little more about me.

Come back with peace in your heart

Any good holiday brings happiness and joy. But a solo holiday adds a touch of inner peace. You return refreshed at a soul level.

If you are unsure about where to go for a solo holiday in India, start with these holiday ideas. Though they have been designed with women in mind, we are happy to assist solo men on these trips too.

Plan to travel to an Indian holiday destination?

About me

The wise man travels to discover himself - JR Lowell

My name is Sudha Mathew. I'm an ex-banker who quit the rat race after a decade to follow my passion for travel and to combine it with my experience in understanding client requirements and exceeding their expectations.

While our content is mostly about the holiday experience, the accommodation and services, there's so much more to a journey. I have discovered a whole new me through travel. So I've reserved this corner of the website to share the unexpected aspects of travel. This space is also to hear from you about your journeys and discoveries. Bon Voyage!